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Bored of loud colours and dizzy patterns? Less can really be more with a men’s minimalist style.
Men’s fashion doesn’t have to be loud and busy as much as it should be drab and boring. If you’re the type of person who relishes clean lines, plenty of structure, and relaxed, neutral shades, then a classic, minimalist style could be just for you.
Yet, with so much fashion out there to choose from, what makes garments minimalist and how do you achieve the look? In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to make this effortless style bring life to your wardrobe.
One of the hallmarks of minimalist menswear is the absence of big, showy logos. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with showing off the pedigree of your wardrobe while you’re out and about, à la BOSS or Diesel, minimalism lends itself to less.
As such, err away from pieces with huge logo lettering and images. If there’s no option, go for a smaller logo of the likes of Polo Ralph Lauren and Fred Perry, choosing a logo colour that doesn’t contrast with the colour of the garment.
Busy and complex patterns are definitely on the maximalist end of the spectrum, so avoid any clothes which comprise multiple colours or feature big prints.
Some patterns are perfectly fine inclusions to your minimalist wardrobe though. Think anything with straight lines, like Breton long-sleeved t-shirts, alongside simple dots and zig-zags. However, it’s crucial you only go for a single pattern - once you start adding more layers of interest and complexity you’re on a one way trip to maximal.
Minimalism and neutral colours are one and the same. Lime greens, bright crimsons, cheery yellows and energetic blues: ditch them all and replace them with laid-back neutral shades instead.
Here we're talking grey, beige, navy, black, brown, tan, khaki and white - the sorts of shades you’ll find in collections from the likes of Hartford and AllSaints.
All these colours are relaxed, not showy in the slightest, and don’t hugely stand out, letting the cut and fit do more of the talking. They also have the brilliant benefit of looking pretty much perfect alongside each other, irrespective of which shades you pluck from your wardrobe.
Minimalist doesn’t need to be totally toned down, and a great way of elevating your look and dialling things up a notch can be to focus on ever-so-slightly-flashier accessories.
A clean, smart belt, paired with a scandi-inspired watch which forgoes lots of dials and details are the perfect accompaniment to most everyday outfits. For showier occasions like dates and nights out, simple gold or silver chains and rings can add that certain je ne sais quoi. And cool, modern sunglasses with rounded lenses are great come summer.
The idea of having fewer garments which work interchangeably and flexibly with one another is one of the central tenets of a capsule wardrobe - a must for minimalist men.
Typically, a person might have a wardrobe packed with countless garments in all sorts of exciting patterns and colours. This isn’t necessarily a negative: a plethora of garments gives you loads of options, ready and raring for every conceivable occasion. However, having so much to choose from can also be mentally tiresome to tackle each morning, and liable to result in a few pieces getting dog-eared through excessive wear and others being totally forgotten.
A capsule wardrobe, on the other hand, is designed small and ever-ready. In total, you might only have 15 to 20 pieces in it:
A capsule wardrobe fits minimalist style perfectly since clothes should be a similar colourway, made to high quality, and chosen for perfect fit. If they tick all these boxes they’ll all work in tandem with one another, taking the effort out of looking great.
